letter_n which_o treat_v of_o virtue_n that_o they_o who_o aspire_v unto_o it_o may_v see_v the_o state_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o also_o if_o they_o have_v acquire_v any_o degree_n of_o it_o or_o if_o their_o virtue_n be_v only_o imaginary_a i_o do_v not_o present_v this_o matter_n of_o true_a virtue_n to_o all_o in_o general_a since_o many_o shall_v find_v it_o too_o difficult_a to_o be_v observe_v for_o such_o as_o yet_o love_v themselves_o or_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o earth_n can_v have_v all_o their_o mind_n bend_v to_o acquire_v this_o virtue_n nor_o tend_v to_o the_o spiritual_a diligence_n which_o it_o require_v but_o i_o speak_v to_o the_o free_a and_o generous_a soul_n who_o have_v abandon_v the_o world_n to_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n and_o such_o will_v easy_o understand_v i_o for_o none_o be_v better_a dispose_v to_o understand_v i_o than_o he_o that_o will_v practice_v true_a virtue_n and_o other_o who_o have_v not_o that_o desire_n may_v content_v themselves_o to_o know_v the_o command_n of_o god_n in_o general_n see_v they_o aspire_v not_o to_o a_o great_a perfection_n so_o i_o say_v to_o they_o as_o st._n john_n to_o the_o soldier_n use_v no_o violence_n nor_o fraud_n to_o any_o person_n and_o be_v content_a with_o your_o wage_n he_o say_v so_o to_o they_o because_o he_o find_v they_o not_o dispose_v for_o great_a perfection_n and_o every_o one_o be_v free_a to_o tend_v to_o what_o degree_n of_o perfection_n he_o will_v so_o st._n john_n choose_v of_o two_o evil_n the_o least_o in_o councel_n the_o soldier_n to_o be_v content_a with_o their_o pay_n and_o do_v no_o violence_n but_o if_o these_o soldier_n have_v tend_v unto_o christian-perfection_n doubtless_o st._n john_n have_v counsel_v they_o to_o cease_v from_o be_v soldier_n and_o to_o forsake_v all_o that_o they_o possess_v as_o jesus_n christ_n do_v to_o the_o young_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n after_o he_o say_v he_o have_v keep_v the_o command_n of_o god_n i_o say_v the_o very_a same_o to_o they_o to_o who_o i_o present_v this_o matter_n of_o true_a virtue_n in_o these_o twenty_o four_o letter_n which_o be_v but_o the_o begin_n of_o my_o design_n to_o show_v wherein_o it_o consist_v in_o every_o thing_n to_o these_o namely_o who_o will_v follow_v it_o and_o to_o none_o other_o see_v that_o be_v to_o cast_v pearl_n before_o swine_n or_o the_o child_n bread_n unto_o dog_n those_o be_v soul_n yet_o earthly_a and_o attach_v to_o the_o honour_n pleasure_n and_o good_n of_o this_o life_n and_o consequent_o be_v not_o in_o a_o disposition_n to_o put_v true_a virtue_n in_o practice_n it_o seem_v enough_o to_o they_o not_o to_o transgress_v gross_o and_o external_o the_o command_n of_o god_n because_o they_o know_v no_o other_o evil_n but_o what_o be_v express_v in_o these_o command_n but_o the_o soul_n who_o have_v abandon_v the_o world_n to_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o revive_v in_o his_o spirit_n must_v labour_v with_o all_o their_o force_n to_o acquire_v this_o true_a virtue_n in_o renounce_v the_o corruption_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o they_o may_v well_o be_v assure_v that_o they_o can_v never_o arrive_v at_o a_o true_o christian_a life_n unless_o they_o have_v overcome_v the_o inclination_n of_o that_o corrupt_a nature_n therefore_o must_v we_o labour_v with_o diligence_n in_o the_o mortification_n of_o our_o sense_n that_o we_o may_v carry_v the_o victory_n over_o that_o corruption_n which_o sin_n have_v bring_v unto_o human_a nature_n without_o that_o our_o virtue_n be_v false_a or_o only_o apparent_a and_o in_o no_o wise_a virtue_n before_o god_n for_o if_o you_o show_v i_o a_o person_n sober_a and_o chaste_a and_o upright_o in_o his_o business_n who_o impart_v his_o good_n to_o the_o poor_a who_o fast_v at_o appoint_a time_n with_o many_o other_o good_a deed_n and_o yet_o follow_v the_o motion_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n i_o esteem_v nothing_o all_o these_o virtue_n if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o renounciation_n of_o his_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o he_o have_v not_o entire_o renounce_v his_o own_o will_n for_o all_o these_o thing_n together_o come_v not_o near_o the_o victory_n which_o be_v in_o master_v the_o motion_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o st._n paul_n name_v yet_o great_a virtue_n than_o these_o i_o have_v name_v when_o he_o say_v if_o i_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o faith_n that_o can_v remove_v mountain_n and_o give_v all_o my_o good_n to_o nourish_v the_o poor_a i_o be_o nothing_o if_o i_o want_v charity_n now_o charity_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o we_o can_v obtain_v but_o in_o renounce_v self-love_n and_o hate_v the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n for_o we_o can_v never_o do_v good_a except_o we_o first_o depart_v from_o evil_a and_o all_o sort_n of_o evil_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n since_o it_o be_v fall_v into_o sin_n so_o that_o we_o can_v never_o arrive_v at_o true_a virtue_n but_o by_o renounce_v that_o corruption_n nor_o at_o the_o charity_n of_o which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v without_o have_v overcome_v it_o so_o i_o say_v with_o he_o unto_o all_o that_o will_v attain_v to_o true_a virtue_n that_o all_o other_o good_a action_n shall_v be_v nothing_o until_o we_o have_v surmount_v and_o overcome_v the_o corruption_n which_o sin_n have_v bring_v unto_o humane_a nature_n since_o all_o sort_n of_o evil_a spring_n thence_o and_o therein_o can_v no_o good_a be_v find_v though_o the_o blindness_n of_o man_n make_v they_o presume_v that_o they_o can_v do_v all_o well_o yet_o they_o do_v altogether_o evil_a so_o long_o as_o they_o act_v according_a to_o the_o motion_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o it_o be_v only_a arrogance_n and_o presumption_n of_o spirit_n that_o they_o think_v themselves_o wise_a and_o willing_a to_o do_v all_o good_a for_o if_o man_n be_v wise_a he_o will_v always_o distrust_v himself_o nor_o dare_v undertake_v any_o thing_n fear_v to_o do_v evil_a since_o that_o be_v in_o he_o and_o there_o can_v proceed_v out_o of_o a_o vessel_n other_o than_o what_o be_v in_o it_o when_o man_n be_v new_o create_v by_o god_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n he_o be_v full_a of_o all_o good_a and_o all_o sort_n of_o good_a proceed_v from_o he_o but_o since_o he_o be_v fall_v into_o sin_n he_o be_v fill_v with_o all_o evil_a and_o there_o can_v nothing_o proceed_v out_o of_o he_o but_o all_o evil_a that_o be_v a_o general_a rule_n and_o by_o it_o ought_v every_o one_o to_o regulate_v his_o life_n if_o he_o will_v be_v save_v for_o there_o be_v no_o exception_n see_v all_o man_n have_v be_v corrupt_v by_o adam_n sin_n and_o consequent_o be_v fill_v with_o evil_n none_o except_v it_o be_v true_a man_n nature_n differ_v in_o manner_n and_o condition_n one_o be_v meek_a another_o harsh_a one_o be_v proud_a another_o humble_a but_o that_o be_v from_o their_o natural_a temperament_n because_o man_n be_v compose_v of_o four_o element_n water_n fire_n earth_n and_o air_n his_o manner_n natural_o be_v dispose_v with_o proportion_n to_o the_o element_n which_o predomines_fw-la in_o he_o for_o every_o one_o have_v in_o his_o nature_n divers_a disposition_n he_o that_o in_o the_o form_n of_o his_o body_n have_v contract_v more_o of_o fire_n than_o of_o the_o other_o element_n will_v be_v more_o choleric_a and_o luxurious_a because_o the_o fire_n have_v more_o power_n in_o he_o than_o the_o air_n water_n or_o earth_n another_o who_o in_o his_o formation_n have_v contract_v more_o of_o water_n will_v be_v more_o dull_a in_o his_o manner_n slow_a in_o comprehend_v any_o thing_n and_o less_o courageous_a he_o that_o in_o his_o formation_n have_v receive_v more_o of_o earth_n than_o of_o other_o element_n shall_v be_v more_o heavy_a lazy_a and_o rude_a in_o his_o manner_n final_o he_o that_o in_o his_o formation_n have_v contract_v more_o of_o air_n than_o other_o element_n will_v be_v in_o his_o manner_n more_o light_a and_o inconstant_a and_o more_o active_a in_o spirit_n and_o prompter_n to_o good_a or_o evil_a and_o by_o these_o natural_a temperament_n all_o man_n be_v of_o divers_a complexion_n and_o different_a manner_n according_a as_o they_o have_v contract_v of_o their_o parent_n the_o intemperature_n of_o the_o element_n of_o which_o their_o body_n be_v form_v but_o in_o respect_n of_o grace_n they_o be_v all_o of_o a_o like_a nature_n and_o be_v by_o sin_n all_o fall_v into_o the_o same_o corruption_n one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o and_o so_o they_o all_o need_n to_o combat_v that_o corruption_n since_o they_o be_v all_o equal_o corrupt_v by_o sin_n which_o they_o must_v master_v if_o they_o will_v be_v save_v without_o go_v to_o persuade_v that_o one_o be_v better_a than_o another_o because_o he_o have_v in_o his_o nature_n a_o
better_a temperament_n for_o that_o nature_n be_v nothing_o as_o to_o grace_n and_o sometime_o he_o that_o have_v more_o of_o fire_n will_v be_v more_o virtuous_a than_o he_o that_o have_v more_o of_o water_n see_v in_o case_n he_o serve_v himself_o of_o that_o natural_a heat_n to_o love_n god_n he_o will_v love_v he_o so_o much_o the_o more_o and_o if_o he_o employ_v his_o anger_n to_o defend_v justice_n and_o virtue_n he_o will_v do_v much_o more_o good_a than_o a_o phlegmatic_a person_n who_o ordinary_o love_v only_o his_o ease_n it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o they_o that_o in_o the_o intemperature_n of_o their_o nature_n have_v contract_v more_o air_n than_o other_o element_n for_o they_o will_v always_o be_v more_o subtle_a to_o discover_v evil_a and_o more_o prompt_a to_o do_v good_a when_o they_o will_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o search_n of_o true_a virtue_n as_o he_o that_o have_v more_o of_o earth_n than_o other_o element_n will_v be_v more_o pose_v and_o grave_a and_o if_o he_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n he_o will_v be_v more_o constant_a and_o persevere_v in_o it_o than_o the_o other_o three_o and_o so_o every_o one_o may_v be_v agreeable_a to_o god_n in_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n wherein_o he_o be_v produce_v provide_v he_o apply_v the_o talon_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o soul_n therefore_o say_v david_n let_v all_o spirit_n praise_v the_o lord_n that_o â—s_v not_o as_o if_o he_o will_v say_v that_o the_o devil_n and_o wicked_a man_n praise_v the_o lord_n see_v these_o blaspheme_v he_o but_o he_o give_v to_o understand_v that_o all_o spirit_n that_o will_v become_v true_a christian_n praise_v the_o lord_n though_o they_o be_v all_o of_o divers_a natural_a complexion_n see_v god_n be_v no_o respecter_n of_o person_n and_o do_v not_o regard_n whether_o we_o have_v more_o of_o fire_n or_o of_o water_n or_o earth_n or_o air_n in_o our_o nature_n but_o with_o what_o affection_n every_o one_o will_v love_v and_o serve_v he_o which_o i_o regard_v also_o in_o write_v of_o solid_a virtue_n i_o mean_v not_o to_o make_v it_o heavy_a and_o difficult_a i_o will_v only_o make_v it_o know_v to_o they_o that_o will_v follow_v and_o practice_v it_o because_o i_o love_v such_o so_o i_o can_v leave_v they_o in_o ignorance_n nor_o let_v they_o perish_v amid_o their_o good_a will_n for_o want_v of_o know_v wherein_o true_a virtue_n consist_v that_o be_v it_o which_o have_v engage_v i_o to_o deduce_v that_o matter_n at_o length_n lest_o these_o soul_n which_o be_v so_o dear_a to_o i_o shall_v perish_v by_o ignorance_n as_o many_o have_v already_o who_o think_v they_o have_v acquire_v true_a virtue_n while_o they_o have_v only_o apparent_a one_o or_o curious_a speculation_n of_o virtue_n not_o know_v that_o it_o consist_v in_o the_o overcome_a of_o corrupt_a nature_n in_o true_a humility_n and_o voluntary_a poverty_n though_o jesus_n christ_n have_v so_o much_o teach_v it_o by_o word_n and_o work_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o follow_v in_o the_o practice_n for_o want_v of_o good_a explication_n and_o the_o light_n of_o the_o truth_n which_o god_n have_v give_v i_o i_o will_v willing_o impart_v it_o to_o other_o in_o send_v to_o light_v this_o first_o part_n of_o true_a virtue_n and_o with_o time_n and_o opportunity_n i_o shall_v present_v more_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n who_o aspire_v after_o true_a virtue_n and_o perfection_n what_o i_o offer_v they_o at_o present_a be_v with_o good_a heart_n as_o a_o present_v come_v from_o heaven_n which_o shall_v show_v they_o the_o light_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o manifest_v the_o deceit_n of_o false_a virtue_n as_o also_o the_o mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o that_o which_o be_v solid_a and_o true_a this_o first_o part_n discover_v among_o other_o thing_n how_o the_o devil_n attempt_v always_o to_o divert_v soul_n from_o true_a virtue_n by_o so_o many_o wiles_n and_o different_a mean_n and_o final_o it_o be_v a_o school_n where_o you_o may_v learn_v to_o deny_v yourself_o take_v up_o your_o cross_n and_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n as_o he_o have_v teach_v unto_o all_o that_o will_v be_v his_o disciple_n in_o the_o perfect_a sense_n and_o true_a explication_n receive_v it_o therefore_o with_o as_o good_a heart_n as_o i_o present_v it_o you_o by_o christian_a charity_n who_o remain_v friendly_a reader_n your_o well-affected_a in_o jesus_n christ_n antonia_n bourignon_fw-fr index_n of_o the_o content_n of_o the_o first_o part._n letter_n i._n we_o must_v learn_v of_o jesus_n christ_n meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n of_o heart_n write_a to_o one_o desirous_a of_o true_a virtue_n also_o all_o the_o follow_a be_v address_v to_o the_o same_o show_v that_o to_o attain_v thereto_o we_o must_v have_v submission_n and_o obedience_n by_o which_o we_o may_v begin_v to_o learn_v meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n of_o heart_n page_n 1._o ii_o we_o must_v learn_v of_o jesus_n christ_n meekness_n lowliness_n and_o humility_n of_o heart_n show_v wherein_o meekness_n and_o lowliness_n consist_v which_o be_v fruit_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o can_v be_v obtain_v unless_o we_o renounce_v our_o own_o will_n submit_v to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n p._n 10._o iii_o man_n can_v sufficient_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n if_o they_o will_v perform_v it_o show_v him_z that_o persuade_v himself_o that_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v not_o manifest_a in_o every_o thing_n that_o we_o may_v accomplish_v it_o deny_v our_o own_o that_o it_o may_v be_v know_v and_o be_v sufficient_o manifest_v in_o the_o command_v of_o god_n which_o jesus_n christ_n propose_v so_o clear_o say_v learn_v of_o i_o for_o i_o be_o meek_a and_o lowly_a and_o humble_a of_o heart_n p._n 18._o iv._o humility_n be_v acquire_v by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o show_v what_o humility_n of_o heart_n be_v what_o the_o mark_n of_o it_o and_o how_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o attain_v it_o by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o infirmity_n and_o misery_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o body_n and_o blindness_n of_o our_o mind_n p._n 25._o v._o humility_n be_v acquire_v by_o know_a one_o self_n show_v that_o the_o true_a knowledge_n even_o of_o thing_n most_o esteem_v by_o man_n aught_o to_o serve_v to_o humble_v they_o such_o as_o the_o honour_n riches_n and_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n that_o all_o these_o be_v vain_a disquiet_v unsatisfy_v and_o hurtful_a p._n 32._o vi_o humility_n be_v acquire_v by_o know_a one_o self_n admonish_v to_o learn_v humility_n by_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o corruption_n and_o sin_n which_o be_v the_o disorder_n of_o our_o five_o natural_a sense_n p._n 40._o vii_o he_o that_o serve_v the_o lust_n of_o his_o sense_n thereby_o actual_o renounce_v the_o love_n of_o god_n exhort_v to_o the_o effect_n of_o humility_n the_o renounce_n of_o our_o sense_n show_v that_o none_o can_v follow_v they_o but_o he_o thereby_o renounce_v the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o end_n of_o our_o creation_n and_o the_o essence_n of_o true_a virtue_n p._n 47._o viii_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o love_n god_n than_o any_o thing_n else_o show_v that_o we_o must_v renounce_v the_o abuse_n of_o our_o sense_n and_o that_o the_o right_a use_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v refer_v to_o god_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a reasonable_a and_o necessary_a to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n p._n 57_o ix_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o love_n god_n than_o any_o thing_n beside_o he_o show_v that_o it_o be_v most_o easy_a sweet_a profitable_a and_o honourable_a to_o love_n god_n and_o keep_v his_o command_n for_o he_o that_o will_v deny_v himself_o but_o that_o it_o be_v blasphemy_n to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n p._n 65._o x._o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v easy_a and_o render_v all_o thing_n easy_a show_v that_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v in_o itself_o most_o easy_a to_o be_v acquire_v whence_o the_o difficulty_n proceed_v which_o we_o find_v they_o and_o how_o they_o shall_v be_v remove_v that_o this_o love_n admirable_o make_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o this_o life_n and_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o command_v of_o god_n and_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o gospel_n easy_a and_o pleasant_a p._n 74._o xi_o we_o must_v always_o proceed_v in_o virtue_n whatever_o impediment_n occur_v give_v encouragement_n in_o the_o way_n of_o virtue_n although_o the_o beginning_n be_v difficult_a because_o of_o the_o tentation_n by_o which_o the_o devil_n vex_v they_o that_o have_v resolve_v to_o embrace_v true_a virtue_n p._n 83._o xii_o the_o devil_n the_o enemy_n of_o true_a virtue_n oppose_v it_o by_o all_o manner_n of_o device_n that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o know_v the_o
defect_n fire_n be_v good_a in_o that_o it_o warm_v and_o enlighten_v but_o evil_a in_o that_o it_o burn_v and_o smoke_v water_n be_v good_a in_o that_o it_o refresh_v and_o quench_v thirst_n but_o evil_n in_o that_o it_o be_v crude_a and_o cold_a the_o air_n be_v good_a for_o respiration_n and_o to_o purge_v bad_a vapour_n but_o evil_a in_o that_o it_o have_v tempest_n the_o earth_n be_v good_a for_o produce_v fruit_n but_o evil_a in_o that_o it_o be_v miry_a and_o that_o it_o produce_v prick_v thorn_n and_o thistle_n gold_n silver_n and_o other_o metal_n be_v good_a in_o that_o they_o serve_v man_n commodity_n but_o evil_a for_o their_o heaviness_n and_o obscurity_n all_o the_o plant_n and_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n have_v something_o of_o good_a and_o something_o of_o evil_n and_o also_o all_o beast_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o air_n and_o the_o water_n and_o man_n especial_o be_v compose_v of_o good_a and_o evil_a so_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o amiable_a but_o god_n alone_o 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